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EUFED e-bulletin
We are pleased to send you the new edition of the EUFED e-bulletin, with latest information from the Federation, a summary of relevant EU developments and a selection of news items from our member Associations.
Mario Mohr, Operating Director
Michèle Obert, Coordinator
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The last EUFED Executive Committee meeting took place on 4th April 2008 in Brussels. Discussions included:
- Preparation of a briefing on EUFED future and a single European programme
- Preparation of an agenda for a meeting of European members of IYHF to be held in Cairo on Tuesday 20th May, from 17h00 to 18h30
- Production of a brochure on good examples following the EU funded seminar on social inclusion activities in Youth Hostels (Leuven, 21st-22nd February 2008)
- Progress against the 2008 Action Plan
The next Executive Committee meeting will take place in Brussels on 8th August 2008. www.eufed.org
The seminar took place in Leuven Youth Hostel on 21st and 22nd February 2008 and gathered 28 participants from 18 national Youth Hostel Associations (from EU, Balkan and Central and Eastern European countries) and like-minded NGOs.
More information, photos and the outcomes of the seminar can be found on EUFED web site: www.eufed.org
The Market Intelligence seminar is addressed to Marketing Executives/Managers of national Youth Hostel Associations and will take place on 26th June 2008 in Köln-Deutz Youth Hostel (Germany). Download programme and registration form.
In the framework of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, EUFED is supporting the competition"Cultures on my street" .
In 2008 the European Parliament celebrates its 50th Anniversary. March's plenary session in Strasbourg marked the culmination of the celebrations. Former EP Presidents, members of national Parliaments and leaders of the other EU Institutions gathered to commemorate.
On this occasion, the Parliament has developed a review in film of the key events in its history. Each week you can watch new videos (50 videos for 50 years of existence). www.europarl.europa.eu
The aim of the preparatory action is “to draw attention to the value, diversity and shared characteristics of European tourist destinations and to promote destinations where the economic growth objective is pursued in such a way as to ensure the social, cultural and environmental sustainability of tourism. The measure will also help European citizens to become better acquainted with one another”.
The deadline for sending the application is 16th June 2008. More information...
The objective of the Intelligent Energy - Europe Programme is to contribute to secure, sustainable and
competitively priced energy for Europe by providing for action:
- To foster energy efficiency and the rational use of energy resources
- To promote new and renewable energy sources and to support energy diversification
- To promote energy efficiency and the use of new and renewable energy sources in transport
Deadline for application: 26th June 2008. Electronic submission only, until 17:00 (Brussels local time). Further information - call 2008
Useful guide to EU funds. Download
Eurodyssée is a collaboration between Businesses and Regions, which allows young people to gain professional experience. This collaboration includes complete monitoring of trainees by the regions in terms of financial matters and practical details such as accommodation, insurance, etc.
Participating regions:
Belgium |
Bruxelles Capitale, Wallonie |
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Switzerland |
Ticino, Zentral Schweiz / Cantons de la Suisse centrale, Valais, Jura |
Germany |
Baden-Würtemberg |
Spain |
Valencia, Catalunya, Castilla y León, Andalucia, Murcia |
France |
Poitou-Charentes, Bourgogne, Champagne-Ardennes, Franche-Comté, Ile de France, Picardie, Limousin, Rhône Alpes |
Croatia |
Istrie, Varazdin |
Italy |
Val d'Aosta |
Norway |
Akershus |
Portugal |
Açores, Madère |
Romania |
Hunedoara, Harghita, Caras Severin, Timis, Tulcea |
UK |
Devon |
For more information, please contact: mrpetry@actiris.be
Hostelling International focuses on the benefits of membership
Hostelling International has just completed a major revision of the Membership section of the hihostels.com website, including the addition of a new page on “Preferred Access through Membership”. These pages support the mission and philosophy of Hostelling International by explaining to young travellers that HI Membership puts them at the heart of an international family, where they can share experiences, travel and friendship with people of all nations.
The section on preferred access includes details of membership requirements by country. This information is based on responses to the Membership Survey conducted by Hostelling International earlier this year.
Additional pages answer a wide variety of questions young people have about HI membership, ranging from costs to lost cards. The page devoted to the discounts negotiated by Youth Hostel Associations includes links to discounts pages on Association websites.
Youth Hostel Associations are encouraged to take a look at the updated section, and advise Hostelling International (ksmith@hihostels.com) if there are any changes needed to the information given for their country/association.
Through an initiative of AIG in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Education, and with the patronage of the President of the Italian Republic and UNESCO, a new Card called “Io Studio” (I Study) will be distributed in every Italian school to nearly 2.500.000 students starting September 2008.
This card will enable the access to the AIG Hostel network and to its benefits, giving young people discounts to a large number of museums, cinemas, concerts, theatres and events.
The great AIG family is ready to enlarge! www.ostellionline.org
After a long wait, the new and improved Knockree Hostel has finally opened its doors to a full house!
During the Summer of 2007, the hostel was demolished and An Óige started from scratch to build a 5 star hostel with 84 beds. Most of the rooms are en-suite. Knockree Hostel also boasts family rooms, conference facilities, a restaurant and of course self catering facilities and many more. On top of these usual hostel features, Knockree also boasts an area outside the hostel with a double-sided fireplace, which will be suitable for BBQ’s!
Because of its location, Knockree is perfect for Scout or school groups and hill walking groups alike. It is also family orientated and is a fun and different place to stay on that family trip to Wicklow! Co Wicklow is a stunning part of Ireland and Knockree is situated right in the heart of the scenery. www.anoige.ie
DJH (German Youth Hostel Association) - Intensifying exchanges with the Libyan Youth Hostel Association
A delegation from the Libyan Youth Hostel Association visited Germany on March 2008 and met with DJH's President Angela Braasch-Eggert and DJH's Board Members.
Bel. Eid W. Aldahmani, LYHA's President, informed DJH that the Libyan Youth Hostel Association is planning to broaden the existing network of 19 youth hostels with another 35 by 2012. Simultaneously the existing buildings will be gradually refurbished.
Exchanges between both Associations will be intensified. In 2008 a group of LYHA's staff is scheduled to come to Germany for a study trip and a DJH's delegation of volunteers and staff will be visiting Libya in October 2008. www.jugendherberge.de
After a complete refurbishment, Düsseldorf now boasts one of the most modern youth hostels in Europe. The work lasted 2 years without requiring the closure of the Youth Hostel, for a total cost of €12,5 million. The youth hostel now offers 96 sunny and stylish rooms, all ensuite. The innovatively designed building also offers an attractive bistro and an outdoor terrace. The official opening was attended by Minister President Dr. Jürgen Rüttgers on 9th April 2008.
Düsseldorf is the capital of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, an exciting and vibrant city. The revamped youth hostel offers a unique and casual atmosphere and is located nearby the bank of the Rhine, opposite to the lively Old Town, and within a walking distance of many of the city's most popular sites.
Düsseldorf youth hostel also provides appealing individual programmes for students and, with its fully equipped conference rooms, is suitable for seminars, business meetings, etc. www.jugendherberge.de
On 28th and 29th March, REAJ was invited in Paris by FUAJ in order to draft a list of common projects which can be achieved by both Associations.
Juan Manuel Castillo, REAJ's General Manager, and Mariano Chiesa, REAJ's Marketing Coordinator, were present. FUAJ was represented by Jean-Pierre Henriot, President, Edith Arnoult-Brill, Secretary General, Patrick Bernard and Monique Schmidt from the Board of Trustees and Fanny Rouanet, International Coordinator.
Within the framework of this bilateral meeting, the two Associations agreed to develop a strong collaboration around several themes aimed at developing relations in term of staff exchanges, youth exchanges, projects based on world heritage cities, promotion, etc. www.fuaj.org
Following the recent addendum between LYHA and FUAJ, the Youth Hostels of Grenoble and Azawia, Lorient and Sabrata, and Rennes and Fejej are now paired, with the objectives of fostering communication and cultural links.
Within this framework, the Youth Hostels will share common experiences such as exchange of knowledge, technical training and take steps to reinforce solidarity, mutual help and complementarity.
On the occasion of the 4th IOU Respect international exchange programme, delegates from France, Germany, USA, Tunisia and Egypt met in order to prepare the event which is anticipated to take place from 25th July to 8th August 2008 in Egypt.
The participants, aged between 20 and 25, will have the opportunity to participate in dialogue sessions, leisure time activities, to discover Egypt, and to meet local people. According to EU policy on gender equality, each Youth Hostel Association involved in the project will have to select 2 young men and 2 young women. www.fuaj.org
FUAJ decided to support the initiative of UNEF (a student Union) which organise every year large events within the framework of the “Education Week against Racism”.
This year, FUAJ offered a discount on 90 beds in Paris in order to accommodate young students who attended the “Against Racism Student Festival” and promoted the event on its website.
Building projects worth around £8 million have been completed by YHA this winter as wide-ranging plans to upgrade Youth Hostels in England and Wales gather momentum. The move sees the charity start to deliver on the promise made two years ago when 30 hostel closures were announced to raise funds for an extensive improvement scheme and to reduce long-term debts.
As well as two new sites unveiled in recent months - the £1.8 million YHA National Forest, in the East Midlands and the £4.3 million YHA London Central, in Westminster - the doors are now re-opening on a number of revamped hostels. Dubbed 'Pathfinder Projects' by YHA, these pilot improvement schemes have provided valuable lessons ahead of the 37 more projects that will be completed at a cost of a further £13.5million next winter.
The biggest of the schemes undertaken was at YHA Manchester, which is set to re-open imminently following £480,000 worth of works that has seen a new café bar open among many other extensive improvements.
A further £360,000 has been spent on two popular Welsh coastal sites in Pembrokeshire, at YHA Pwll Deri and YHA Broad Haven.
As a result, both locations have a fresh new look and improved facilities for the 2008 season, while every guest will now stay in an en suite room.
Popular city hostels in Bath and Oxford have undergone extensive works while six-figure schemes have taken at YHA Stow on the Wold, in Gloucestershire, YHA Cheddar, in Somerset and YHA Streatley-on-Thames, in Berkshire.
YHA Sherwood Forest, in Nottinghamshire and YHA Clun Mill, in Shropshire have also experienced improvements over the winter months. www.yha.org.uk
Several Swiss Youth Hostels were awarded the EU Environmental Label and the Capricorn Label for Hostel Businesses. The 12 top Youth Hostels achieved this goal successfully.
Over the past years, SJH has pressed for sustainable management. In SJH's mission statement, the Swiss Youth Hostels' relationship to the environment is described as follows: “With our Youth Hostels and holiday programmes we are committed to protecting the environment and countryside. The long lasting efforts for Ecological Business Management cover all divisions with our sustainability strategy."
SJH is also developing more activities in this field: commitment to achieve the goal of avoiding a possible Co2 levy, EU Environmental Label and the Capricorn Label for Hostel Businesses, Myclimate Label (CO2 compensation), WWF Climate Group, Eco-Construction-Label, Minergiestandard Label, CO2 neutral heating systems, solar plants, tumble dryers which pump heat, energy-saving lamps and sprinklers. In addition, a new employee is now responsible for quality control and ecology at SJH. More information: http://www.youthhostel.ch/nachhaltigkeit
With support from the General Budget
of the European Communities
The information contained in this publication does not necessarily reflect the position
or opinion of the European Commission
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